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WATER -
Heating hot water is often the third largest energy expense in your home. There are two ways to save. Use less hot water or heat it more efficiently.
1. Using less hot water.
a. Refer to the tips on using less water when running both your washer and dishwasher that were presented in the “Home Appliances” Section, as well as the tips presented above.
b. Make sure when you turn on your one lever faucet it is moved over to the cold side, so hot water is not drawn down unless required.
c. Consider installing a rapid delivery hot water kit on faucets that are used regularly for hot water, so you are not wasting all that water waiting for the hot water to arrive.
d. Use cold water when running your waste disposal. Cold water is actually better because it helps solidify the grease.
2. Heating hot water more efficiently.
a. Set the thermostat on your water heater to 120 to 130 degrees Fahrenheit. This is generally hot enough for most households and will help prevent accidental scalding. Many electric hot water heaters have two thermostats and both should be set to the same temperature.
b. For an electric water heater, install a timer that will automatically turn the water heater off late at night and turn it back on in the morning. You may also have the timer turn off the hot water heater when you are away at work. Do not forget to turn the hot water heater off when you go on vacation.
c. If you have an older electric water heater, install a water heater jacket (available
in home improvement stores) around the water heater to better insulate it. Natural
gas and oil-
d. Insulate the hot water pipes coming out of the water heater, not just at the water heater but wherever they can be accessed.
e. Drain a quart of water from your tank every three months to remove sediment that can prevent heat transfer and reduce the efficiency of the water heater.
f. Install a heat trap above the water heater to prevent heat loss.
g. Buy a new energy efficient water heater, or consider solar hot water heating systems if you live in an area where they are practical.
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